Solderless connector



1941- J. G. JACKSON 1 1 SOLDERLE SS CONNECTOR Filed NOV. 3, 1938 INVENTOR g k i 2,231,916

BOLDEBLESS CONNECTOR John G. Jackson, Detroit, Mich ascignor to Square D company, Detroit, Mich a corporation of Michigan Application November 3, 1m, Serial No. 238,605 v 'IOlalms. (curs -m) This invention relates to connectors for electrical conductors and has for its object the provision or an improved, simple and economical form of connector of the solderless type. Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and economical solderless connector adapted to receive a large variety of sizes of wires. Another object of the invention is to provide a solderless connection in which the movement of the clamping stud produces a conductor clamprotation of the stud and loosening of the c0n-' nection.

Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view of the 5 connector with a relatively large cable clamped therein.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of theconnector of Figure 1. v I

Figure 3 is a-perspective view of an unattached 30 connector element without its clamping stud;

'Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view of the connector carrying a relatively small wire.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of connector of Figure 4.

35 The connector i, as illustrated inthe drawing.

is formed of a single length conducting strap return bentupon itself, and having a longitudinally extending slot 2 therein; the slot 2 being provided with generally circular extremities 3 and 4, eachof whose diameters exceed the-width of the slot proper.

' The connector is provided with a side I rounded outwardly and with a side 6 tilted inwardly, and having outwardly directed flanges I thereon 45 to provide rigidness to said side and to prevent its buckling beneath an applied clamping force. ,5 An abutment portion 8 is formed out of base i g of the connector and is directed upwardly therefrom to engage the tilted side 8. The circular extremity 3 of slot 2 cooperates with an opening ii in the base 9 to receive'a washer he'ad stud I0 having a diameter greater than the width of slot 2. end and tightening of the clamping stud II, as depicted in Figures 1 and 2, the connected end With the insertion of a cable terminal of tilted side will be forced to the right drawing the top wall it of the connector in the same direction and in a generally horizontal plane. the connector strap bending principally adjacent the circular extremity 4 of the slot 2 where there is 5 the-least metallic width and consequently a local weakening. As the stud iii has a diameter greater than the width of slot li this movement of the top wall I! will force the edges of slot 2 into tight engagement with the stud to produce a o locking ,eii'ect preventing accidental loosening of the stud. The movement of the top wall I! will further cause the rounded side 5 to bear upon the cable terminal end and force it against stud ill, thus securing a clamping pressure in a direction transverse to the axis of stud Iii as well as the clamping pressure parallel thereto by the direct clamping of the cable between the base 9 and the top wall l2.

With the substitution of cable terminal ends of extremely small diameter as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the horizontal movement of the top surface has little effect upon the cable and it therein. The cable being secured within the connector entirely by the direct clamping pressure between the base I and top wall l2.

Rotation of connector I may be prevented by the engagement thereof with a stationary part on the device on which it is mounted and in the drawing one manner of accomplishing this result has been shown wherein an upturned lug H on a terminal plate I! carried by an insulating portion i O of a switch or other electrical device is received within the extremity Q of slot 2 and prevents rotation of the connector with respect to plate Ii and other parts of the device.

While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been specifically disclosed, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto as many variations will be readily appa- 4 rent to those skilled in the art and the invention is to be given its broadest possible interpretation within the terms of the following claims.

I claim:

1. An electrical connector of the solderless type comprising a continuous strap return bent upon clamping means having a force applying surface located directly above at least a part or a conductor' inserted in said connector between said rounded side and said clamping means, the top wall of the connector moving transversely to the axis of the clamping means under the action of the clamping thereof, whereby said rounded side iorces said conductor against said clamping means to apply a transverse clamping through said elongated opening in the top wall and through an opening in the bottom wall, one oifaid side walls being so disposed with respect -to said clamping means as to provide a space therebetween torthe reception or a conductor to be connected, the side opposite said first mentioned side being tilted inwardly and being provided with side flanges to impart rigidity thereto, said top wall moving transversely to the axis of the clamping means under the clamping action thereof, whereby said first mentioned side iorces the conductor against the clamping means to apply'a transverse'clamping pressure thereto in addition' to the clamping pressureapplied between the top and bottom walls.

'3. An electrical connector of the solderless' type comprising a continuous strap return bent upon itself to form a closed loop having su tantially flat generally parallel top and Rom walls, and opposite side walls, said strap having a continuous elongated opening therein extending from the top wall to the bottom wall there- 01, one side of said connector being tilted inwardly, clamping means passing through said elongated opening in the top and bottom walls oi the connector, the side of said connector opposite said one-side being spaced from the clamping means to provide for the reception of a conductor-'therebetween, the clamping force of said clamping means causing said one side to be imther tilted as the top wall ismoved toward the bottom wallin the clamping action, said further tilting causing a consequent movement of the top wall at right angles to the axis of the clamping mean'swhereby said opposite side iorces the 5. An electrical connector of the solderless type comprising a continuous strap return bent upon itself to 'form a closed structure havin substantially flat generally parallel top and bottom walls and opposite side walls, clamping means passing through the spaced top and bottom walls of the connector and threaded into a stationary conducting part against which the bottom wall is disposed, the space between said clamping means and one side of the connector serving for reception for the conductor to be 7,

connected, said clamping means including a force applying surface located directly above said convductor receiving space whereby said clamping a the top and bottom walls.

6. An electrical connector of the solderless type comprising a body member having a tilted 'side and an opposite side rounded outwardly, an

elongated slot in said member, clamping means passing through said slot and threaded into a stationary conducting part and positioned to provide a space between the rounded side and the clamping means for the reception of a conductor to be connected, said clamping means including a force applying portion disposed directly above said conductor receiving space to apply a direct clamping pressure on said 0011- 3 ductor, said clamping means cooperating with said tilting side'to move said rounded side transversely to force said conductor against clamping means to apply a transverse clamping pressure thereto, in addition to the direct clamping pressure exerted by said force applying portion,

7. An electrical connector of the solderless type having a body member, an elongated opening therein, and having a tilted side and a side opposite thereto rounded outwardly, clamping means extending through said elongated opening and positioned to provide a space between the clamping means and said rounded side for the reception of a conductor to be connected, said clamping means including a force applying portion located directly above said conductor receiving space, said tilted side cooperating with said clamping means under the clamping action thereof to move said rounded side to urge the cable terminal end against the clamping means to thereby apply a transverse clamping pressure. to the conductor in addition to the direct pressure exerted by the clamping means parallel to its axis.

JOHN G. JACKSON. 

